Only thing missing was the apple pie

This year’s National Hockey League entry draft was all about America and family. A record-tying 10 American-born players were selected in the first round, equalling the mark established at the 2006 draft. London Knights forward Patrick Kane (Chicago) and Philadelphia selection James Vanriemsdyk were the first U.S.-born players to go 1-2 in the draft. Kane was the sixth American taken first overall, joining Brian Lawton (1983, Minnesota), Mike Modano (1988, Minnesota), Bryan Berard (1995, Ottawa), Rick DiPietro (2000, New York Islanders) and Erik Johnson (2006, St. Louis). Vancouver (WHL) defenceman and Long Beach native Jonathan Blum, taken 23rd overall by Nashville, was the first California-born player to go in the opening round. Overall, 63 of the 211 players selected, a record 30 per cent, were American . . . Meanwhile, there were three first-round picks who were the sons of first rounders. Sam Gagner went sixth to Edmonton. His dad Dave went 12th to the New York Rangers in 1983. Brandon Sutter was taken 17th by Carolina, 27 years after his dad Brent when 11th to the New York Islanders. Logan MacMillan was the 19th pick by Anaheim. In 1972, his dad Bob was selected 15th by the Rangers. They join Jeff and Steve Tambellini, Mike and Nick Foligno and Darryl and Ryan Sittler as the only father-son first-round combinations in draft history. Other sons of NHLers who were claimed included Windsor’s Mickey Renaud to Calgary, the son of Mark Renaud. Anaheim claimed Justin Vaive, son of ex-Leafs captain Rick Vaive. Minnesota’s Colton Gillies is the offspring of former Islander Clark Gillies. Phoenix grabbed Vladimir Ruzicka Jr. Tampa Bay took Justin Courtnall, son of Geoff Courtnall and St. Louis grabbed Trevor Nill, the offspring of Detroit Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill . . . Waterloo (USHL) defenseman Blake Kessel was taken 166th overall, only 161 picks later than his brother Phil was selected in the draft last year by the Boston Bruins . . . The Blues became the first NHL team to select a Danish-born player in the first round when they tabbed forward Lars Eller with the 13th pick. “If I’m going to shy away from taking a player because of his nationality or his passport, then I’ve got no (guts),” Blues assistant GM Jarmo Kekalainen said “People worry about the Denmark thing. They all worried about (Los Angeles top pick) Anze Kopitar being from Slovenia two years ago, the same people. I don’t think they’re worrying about him now.” At last year’s draft, then-Flyers GM Bob Clarke stood at the podium and forgot the name of Claude Giroux, the club’s top pick. This year, it was Washington GM George McPhee’s turn to stumble. “I’ve always admired Bobby Clarke and I wanted to do what he did.” McPhee noted after saying on the podium, “The Washington Capitals would like to select, from the London . . . from the Calgary Hitmen, defenceman Karl Alzner.” . . . Although his battle with cancer kept San Jose special assistant to the GM John Ferguson Sr. from attending the draft, the good news for him was he enjoyed a big weekend on the racetrack. Caught My Eye, a three-year-old trotting filly co-owned by LaSalle’s Ferguson, set a track record for her age and gait Saturday at Georgian Downs in Innisfil, Ont., winning an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series elimination in 1:56 4/5, shaving three-fifths of a second off the previous track record shared by Pure Ivory and Sparetime Rozie. It was the eighth career win for Caught My Eye, who earned $261,420 as a two-year-old . . . Tony Stewart, NASCAR’s mouth that roars, blasted Ford driver David Gilliland after the two crashed in practice last week for the Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway, suggesting that Gilliland wasn’t qualified to be a Nextel Cup driver. Gilliland admitted the criticism stung him somewhat. “It gets to me a little bit because you want to have the respect of the drivers you race around,” Gilliland said. “On Sunday morning in Michigan before the race, I probably had 10 drivers come up to me and ask, ‘You’re not gonna let what Tony said get to you, right?’ I just kind of shrugged my shoulders and they’re like, ‘Well, don’t because we all race with you and you’re fine.’” One of those who stepped to Gilliland’s defence was veteran driver Ricky Rudd. “I think he definitely belongs and let me kind of clear up something here,” Rudd said. “Tony is Tony. What else can you say? You can’t question his driver ability. Everybody knows he’s one of the best if not the best out there, but he kind of has a habit of running his mouth at the wrong time. David got blamed for that wreck, but that wasn’t David’s fault. No one ever came around and asked anybody else what happened, but the videotape clearly shows what happened and Tony screwed up. He just misjudged his distance and ran into the back of David. David doesn’t really have a presence out here. He can’t fight that battle, but I can tell you one thing, that was not David Gilliland’s fault the other day.” . . . Gilliland appreciated the support he received. “It means a lot to have somebody like that, who has been around the series long enough to know, voice his opinion like that,” Gilliland said. “He’s helped me a lot this year going to a lot of the tracks with his experience and for him to stand up for me and say what he really thinks meant a whole lot to me because he doesn’t have to do that kind of thing.”

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Market to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.